10:04 pm - 09/28/2012
Original ONTD Thread
There’s no question that Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2013 collection has caused quite a stir–and not in a good way.
Soon after images of the collection began circulating on the internet–particularly close-up ones of the earrings at left–several news sources criticized the designers for using imagery, which Refinery29 called, “cartoonish, debasing, subaltern [and] blatantly exploitative.”
Now Dolce & Gabbana has finally responded to the criticism, in a somewhat roundabout way, by posting an article on their website Swide.com, which explains the historical and cultural context of the figures, typically called “blackamoors.” “The head is inspired by Moorish features,” it reads. “Moorish is a term used to define many peoples throughout history…In Sicily’s case it defines the conquerors of Sicily [from 827 to 902 AD.]”
It goes on to explain that “these beautiful artifacts” are typically made out of a glazed ceramic, called Maiolica, which has deep historical meaning in Italy, and that they are in fact very common in homes, hotels, and restaurants in Sicily–a city that continues to inspire the designers.
Somewhat bizarrely, the post also describes a legend that is associated with the popularity of the blackamoor design, which describes a young woman cutting off the head of her former Moor lover and using it as a vase.
There’s no doubt that blackamoor imagery certainly has a unique and interesting cultural history–particularly in Sicily–but whether or not that context makes the designs any less offensive remains to be seen–a fact which Dolce & Gabbana probably could have been more sensitive to. However, it should be noted, the designers are not the only fashion VIPs to embrace blackamoor jewelry. In her 1983 autobiography, called D.V., Diana Vreeland wrote, “Blackamoors have been commemorated, in jewelry, in Russia, Venice, very eighteenth and nineteenth century…I’m told it’s not in good taste to wear blackamoors anymore, but I think I’ll revive them.”
Definition: blackamoor (plural blackamoors)
Fastionista Source
Dolce & Gabbana Defend Their Controversial Earrings
Original ONTD Thread
There’s no question that Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2013 collection has caused quite a stir–and not in a good way.
Soon after images of the collection began circulating on the internet–particularly close-up ones of the earrings at left–several news sources criticized the designers for using imagery, which Refinery29 called, “cartoonish, debasing, subaltern [and] blatantly exploitative.”
Now Dolce & Gabbana has finally responded to the criticism, in a somewhat roundabout way, by posting an article on their website Swide.com, which explains the historical and cultural context of the figures, typically called “blackamoors.” “The head is inspired by Moorish features,” it reads. “Moorish is a term used to define many peoples throughout history…In Sicily’s case it defines the conquerors of Sicily [from 827 to 902 AD.]”
It goes on to explain that “these beautiful artifacts” are typically made out of a glazed ceramic, called Maiolica, which has deep historical meaning in Italy, and that they are in fact very common in homes, hotels, and restaurants in Sicily–a city that continues to inspire the designers.
Somewhat bizarrely, the post also describes a legend that is associated with the popularity of the blackamoor design, which describes a young woman cutting off the head of her former Moor lover and using it as a vase.
There’s no doubt that blackamoor imagery certainly has a unique and interesting cultural history–particularly in Sicily–but whether or not that context makes the designs any less offensive remains to be seen–a fact which Dolce & Gabbana probably could have been more sensitive to. However, it should be noted, the designers are not the only fashion VIPs to embrace blackamoor jewelry. In her 1983 autobiography, called D.V., Diana Vreeland wrote, “Blackamoors have been commemorated, in jewelry, in Russia, Venice, very eighteenth and nineteenth century…I’m told it’s not in good taste to wear blackamoors anymore, but I think I’ll revive them.”
Definition: blackamoor (plural blackamoors)
- (degrading) A person with dark skin, especially (but not necessarily) one from northern Africa
- a blackamoor slave, a blackamoor servant; and hence any slave, servant, inferior, or child
- (heraldry) a stylized Negro, Argent, three blackamoors' heads couped sable, capped or, fretty gules.
Fastionista Source
But now I think they're cute :/
i don't a
Edited at 2012-09-29 04:55 am (UTC)
Edited at 2012-09-29 05:13 am (UTC)
Just because it wasn't considered offensive when it was made doesn't mean it's not offensive today
well, bully for you, diana vreeland.
lol i thought you were
Randal: Well,I still don't think porch monkey should be considered a racial term. I mean, I've always used it to describe lazy people, not lazy black people! I think if we really tried, we could re-claim it, and save it.
Dante:It can't be saved, Randal! The sole purpose for its creation, the only reason it exists in the first place, is to disparage an entire race! And even if it could be saved, you can't save it because you're not black!
Randal:Well listen to you! Telling me I can't do something because of the color of my skin! You're the racist! I'm taking it back, you watch!
Raúl Juliá is everything in these films, and the best Gomez Addams ever!
but this is sooo wrong
That's like saying "faggot" is ok because from the years 1843-1871 it was used to describe a bundle of sticks, so now it's time for a revival.
Right.Okay.
When you have to pull out obscure history it's time to let your argument go.
Edited at 2012-09-29 03:15 am (UTC)
Also that makes no sense anyway, people are terrible kindling. That's why they used 'sticks' to burn people in the first place instead of just lighting them on fire.
"blackamoors," btw, which is a term they also use, is a super fucked up european way of describing black people by assuming they were muslims.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(fo
The more you know I guess.
Edited at 2012-09-29 02:37 pm (UTC)
flawless username imo
bow tbh